1908 Mercedes-Simplex 35/40HP reappearing in Melbourne

David Scott, in the book Three Pointed Star, identifies the first shaft drive Mercedes with live axles as 10/20 and 21/35 hp cars in1905. He is very clear about that in his book! And describes, Maybach as being very active in his design work at this time.

Yet Daimler Benz, states "Spring of 1908" was the first released shaft drive Mercedes.

Does anyone know if there were Shaft drive Mercedes built prior to 1908?

The Automotor Journal of August 1908, describes the shaft drive mercedes in detail stating: “The brake horse-power is given as 38.” With the 35 h.p. shaft drive car being officially first released in the spring of 1908 (March to May). Whilst there is some reference to the Isis Downs Mercedes being reworked / damaged in 1908, it is certainly one of the earliest 1908 Shaft Drive cars to start production in that year with 50% down- payment completed by April 28th, 1908. Perhaps of interest, also being manufactured prior to its release by “du Cros London” at the 7th Annual Motor Exhibition in the UK in November 1908. The Motor Show report states that the 35 h.p. shaft drive Mercedes: “can almost be considered a 1909 car, as the first of this new type was only displayed in the London Showrooms so recently as June of this year.”

Certainly adding weight to the Isis Downs car being the oldest surviving shaft drive Mercedes.

However, is David Scott correct that the cars were first designed and manufactured by Maybach as early as 1905?? That would rewrite the current view of the Mercedes history.

FYI - The Autocar of Nov 1907, identifies next years Mercedes as:

35/40 Mercedes, Bore and Stroke 110 by 140, Chassis 680 Pounds, Disc Clutch, 45 mph or chain drive as 800 pds.

Other contemporary literature also refers to it as 35/40 hp. Daimler would recognise it as 35 hp.

Harry

Wouldn't a 1986 Benz Velo be of a Post war vintage, unless of course you meant 1896 ?
Nice car though !